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Cheesy Mushroom and Pea Orzo

Cheesy Mushroom and Pea Orzo that is made with three kinds of cheese, baby bellas, and Libby's® Sweet Peas Pouch is a delicious casserole perfect for serving on holidays or with Sunday dinner.

The holiday season has finally arrived once again and I couldn't be happier about it! This year, my kids are seven and four, which means the spirit of Christmas is very much alive in our household. We have been listening to Christmas music every day since December 1st, we already took a ride on the Holly Jolly Christmas Train to see the Nights of Lights in historic St. Augustine, and (if you can believe it!) I am actually done my Christmas shopping.

I am 100% in the spirit this year and excited to make some memories with my family!

Being in the Christmas spirit is more than just Christmas music, twinkle lights, and pretty packages, though. You know what I'm going to say, right? I do write a food blog, after all. The holidays are totally about scrumptious food for this girl! Every year I look forward to the cookie baking extravaganza, the Christmas morning sticky buns, and the Christmas dinner feast. Food, food, and more food!

Which brings me to the age old question...what do you like to serve for Christmas dinner? Turkey? Or maybe you are all turkey-ed out after Thanksgiving. How about ham? A big, beautiful, glazed ham is a great choice for a holiday meal. Perhaps you serve both!

No matter what you choose to serve on your holiday table as your main course, you've got to have some side dishes to serve, too!

Over the years, I've had the chance to partner with my friends at Libby's® to create some fabulous holiday recipes featuring some of my favorite Libby's® products. This year, I was excited to get in the kitchen with the new Libby's® Vegetable Pouches!

Libby's® new Vegetable Pouches feature the products that I know and love in super convenient, easy to open, microwavable packages. These are going to be an amazing time saver and great for easy side dishes and appetizers throughout the holidays and all year long!

When I got my hands on some of the new Vegetable Pouches, I decided to make a holiday side dish with a pouch of Libby's® Sweet Peas. I paired the peas with orzo, which is a small rice-shaped pasta. I love to use orzo as an alternative to more common types of pasta for special occasion sides. It's nice to mix things up a little for the holidays, don't you think?

I simmered the orzo until it was perfectly al dente, then added the pouch of Libby's® Sweet Peas, earthy mushrooms (which are my current obsession), creamy goat cheese, and oodles are fresh parmesan. I finished it all with a sprinkle of mozzarella that is melted under the broiler until it is hot, golden, and bubbly.

The end result is a rich, creamy, cheesy, hearty side dish that is perfect served with turkey or ham! Delish!

I can even see this easy side dish transformed into a hearty main dish casserole by simply adding your leftover turkey or ham to the mix. I think I will even try switching up the veggies! A pouch of Libby's® Mixed Vegetables would be a great twist and add a nice pop of color to this dish.

I plan to keep these new Vegetable Pouches on hand in my pantry at all times. Their upright design keeps them tidy in my crazy-full pantry, which makes the perfectionist side of me very happy. I have a feeling they are going to save me some time in the kitchen this crazy busy time of year, too.

I hope you enjoy tons of fun, food, and family this year for Christmas. And if you're still looking for a few more dishes to round out your holiday menu, I pulled some of my favorite recipes using of some my favorite Libby's® products to give you some more holiday-worthy food inspiration. Check it out and enjoy!!

In a large, high-sided, oven-safe skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms to the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms have softened are beginning to brown. Remove the mushrooms from the skillet and set aside.

Add the orzo to the skillet and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Pour the chicken broth over the orzo and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed.

Cook the peas according to the package directions. Add the peas, mushrooms, parmesan cheese, and goat cheese to the orzo and stir until combined and the cheese is melted.

Top with shredded mozzarella and broil for 5 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly. Sprinkle with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

If you don't own an oven-safe skillet, follow directions as written and transfer to a broiler-safe casserole dish before topping with mozzarella and putting in the oven.

At $1.39 per serving, this makes an economical and hearty side to serve with your special occasion meal!

This post is sponsored by Libby's®. All thoughts and opinions are, as always, 100% my own.